Master Gardener Workshop

I have to tell you that I love to brag on people. Especially my family and friends. I am so proud of my Mama. She is a Master Gardener, a title I hope to possess myself one of these days. My mom has an answer for all of my gardening woes and a beautiful eye for design in the garden. I was thrilled when I was approached to ask her to lead a workshop on gardening in the store. She talked about composting, planting seeds, herbs, and had a million answers for all of her questions! I wish I could have been there. I was attending a photo shoot, which you'll have to wait and see the behind the scenes on Monday...



If you have a gardening question for my Mom, ask here and I will post the answers next friday!


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Where have I been?

I've been here:





and here:



and here:







and here.

Kinda wish I was here:



Where have you been?

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March Garden

A few things are popping up over here.



phlox and pass along iris



Solomon's seal



Foam flower



Lady's mantle



Walker's low and spotted dead nettle



Tulips



Clematis



Jasmine



Blue Star and veronica



Akebia

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Sustainable

Sam and I have become increasingly aware of how much we depend on the government to provide for us. Quite frankly we want to become more independent. Take that. We are making small changes slowly to make this happen. We also realize that we consume more than our fair share. This week we put dimmers in our bedroom and dining room, which to my sensitive eyes is a dream come true. We are also going to be planting a container vegetable garden this weekend and setting up a rain barrel. We spent last weekend cleaning up our existing garden which was overrun with leaves and weeds.

One more look at the Akebia blooming. Mmmm mmmm mmmm.





Sam repaired the gate we set up for Guinness.



Guinness investigating a future project.



Matilda's hand/eye coordination is getting better and better. Here she is with her bunny.







If you're in the southeast, enjoy this refreshing rain that is pouring itself out for our tender plants.



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Spring has Sprung!

One of the places where I feel the most at peace, is in my garden. Last year I wasn't able to really enjoy spring gardening because I was pregnant ie nauseous and exhausted! This year will be different. I have great plans for sprucing things up around here.

Nature has been doing it's own job of covering the earth with it's beauty:



The chocolate akebia vine is a favorite. This year it is going crazy and is currently covered in rich chocolate blooms. The vines have made their homes in my hanging stars.



The clematis is about to bloom. Soon deep purple flowers will adorn my porch.



Having Matilda in the garden with me has been a long time dream.



The confederate jasmine in bloom. The winter jasmine has not woken up quite yet.



A pass along Iris.



The pink dogwood we planted in honor of Mama Lou is green with new life and the yellow ladybanks rose I bought on ebay is leaping!



The daylilies are always the first to make their appearance.

What are you growing in your garden?

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Inspiration: Patrick Blanc Vertical Gardener

With spring just around the corner my unpainted toes and pale winter skin are aching to be painted and awakened with some color (not much mind you). My inner gardener is crying out for some time spent amongst the holly hocks, daisies, echinacea, climbing vines, hydrangeas, and many other beauties that adorn my home. My recent discovery and interest is vertical gardening. Mostly seen in urban environments where gardeners have to go up rather that out, succulents, ferns, and more make their homes on walls, mounted fixtures, and other creative options. One fellow that has caught my attention is french botanist and vertical garden pioneer Patrick Blanc. Here are some of his intriguing collections. How lovely to stumble on to one of these magical creations:



source: localoaf



source:carmeloruiz



source:urbancartography



source:greayer

Oh yeah, and he's a crazy looking dude with some reallllly long fingernails. Eeeek!



Maybe he uses those suckers as little shovels?


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In the garden: End of July/Beginning of August

I may have neglected my garden, but my garden has not neglected me. I am always amazed at the surprises I get by staring deep in to my little garden lands. There is always something new blooming, growing, spreading, climbing. It is my greatest pleasure to spend time there. Here is what is happening now:



July=Gladiolas. I wasn't sure they would come back, but here they are in their orange glory...





Finally, my Hollyhock bloomed. I love the chocolate color...a seed gift from my Aunt Kim.

It has a weird fungus on it...

The front garden is filling out quite nicely.

Russian sage and lantana spread their wings.
My cosmos bloomed! Second seed to work this season!!

Here they are up close.

Shroomin' 

I love these little toadstools.



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In the Garden

I will admit, I have not spent the time I normally do in the garden this year. I miss bending down and studying the flowers, trimming and watering them. I just don't have it in me right now, but soon I will be out in the garden with Matilda showing her my favorite things and allowing her to soak up all of the simple pleasures that come from gardening.



we have strawberries. aren't they cute?



Miss Huff



Russian Sage



My artsy, "YAY we're getting rain", shot! We have been having the loveliest afternoon storms. Thank you Lord!

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